GOD LOVES YOU -- There is only one you.

Major Concept:                GOD LOVES YOU.

This Week’s Concept:    There is only one you.

Background:  Young children are egocentric.  It is who they are in the early years.  This week you will have the awesome opportunity of helping them celebrate their uniqueness!  (Don’t panic – there will be plenty of opportunities in later weeks to celebrate others’ uniqueness as well!)

Activity:   Have your child look at his/her hands, feet, eyes, etc.  Let him/her describe what he/she sees.  Now have your child compare these to your hands, feet, eyes, etc.  Discuss what is similar and what is different.  Talk with your child about the uniqueness of each of us.  Be sure to emphasize that there is no one else exactly like him/her.

Bible Verse:

Psalm 139:14 – “I am wonderfully made.”

Lunch Notes:  Think about the different parts of the body that you and your child compared.  Remind him/her  throughout  the week of how wonderfully created he/she is  by including each of these in a lunch note.

For example, “God made your hands.” 

Include your child’s name in the lunch note.  This helps him/her feel special, and it is great for younger children as they are learning to recognize their name in print.   (Dear ______________ is a great way to begin your note.)

Prayer:  Spend time this week thanking God for how wonderfully made your child is and praying with your child to say thank you to God for his/her hands, feet, eyes, toes, etc.

Books:  I will include book titles as I find them.  I encourage you to read through them before sharing them with your child.  As books are often a personal preference, you need to share those that reflect what you believe.

                Max Lucado:  God Thinks You’re Wonderful

                Dandi Daley Mackall:  God Loves Me More Than That, When God Created My Toes

THERE IS ONE TRUE GOD - God created the world.

Welcome aboard for a school year’s worth of learning opportunities for little ones written on lunch notes and lived through the sharing of ideas, activities, books, etc.  But most importantly, the opportunity for your child to know he/she is loved by you and by God.  Take these and make them your own.   I am writing with younger children (4-7) in mind, but you can easily adapt them for older children.

I have identified eight major concepts that I will rotate throughout the year.  Within these concepts, you will find ideas to share with your child throughout the week to help him/her understand and live each of them.

Major Concept:       THERE IS ONE TRUE GOD.

Today’s Concept:   God created the world.

Background:  Young children think in very concrete terms.  Seeing is believing!  How does one see God? 

Activity:  Go for a walk with your child.  Talk about all the things you see that God has created.

Bible Verse: 

1.      Genesis 1:1 – God created the heavens and the earth.

Lunch notes:  Mine were usually written on a napkin, but anything will work.  Stickers and/or artwork make them even more fun.  “I love you” at the end of the note will matter to your child.  As an adult helps younger children read the notes at lunch time, you can be assured that this is also a great opportunity for your child to begin developing reading skills or practice them daily.

Think about what you and your child discovered on your walk.  Include each of them on a lunch note throughout the week.

(Ex., God made the trees.) 

           

Introduction

Two memories are vivid in my mind as I recall the birth of my first child.  When the nurse gently placed her in my arms for the first time, I immediately thought, “What a precious gift.  What an awesome responsibility!”   Shortly afterwards, my mother strolled in and wisely commented, “Don’t miss a moment.  The time will go so quickly.”  My daughter will celebrate her 25^th birthday in a few weeks.  Her sister will be 22 this year.  

My mother was right.   The time has gone quickly.  I am so glad I have had the honor and privilege to be part of God’s plan for my daughters’ lives.  I am so glad He gave me the wisdom to make the choice to be involved in their daily lives.   When they first started school, my husband and I wanted some way to stay connected with them throughout the day.  This happened in the form of lunch notes.   We continued to write them through elementary school, middle school, junior high, and even into high school.  Shortly after my younger daughter left for college I found myself sitting in her room thinking of all the joy she had brought to our lives.  I saw a shoebox she had left behind.  As I carefully lifted the lid, I discovered hundreds of lunch notes. 

I am a teacher of young children.  More importantly, I am the mother of two incredible young ladies.  And, most importantly, I am a child of God.  Combining three passions does not make me an expert in any of them, but rather an active participant in seeking to make a difference in the lives of my own children and in the lives of children everywhere.   Join the journey as lunch note messages are shared and memories created throughout this school year.    And, in the years ahead, may your family be blessed as you look back and remember when….